By Kaylea Mitchell-Simon
Magic Words Online Counsellor
“In all things of nature there is something of the marvellous
”
I know for some the word ‘creativity’ can seem quite daunting, however there are no expectations being set here, this exercise is merely an opportunity to connect with nature and instil some calm and self-care into your life. Being creative in nature is known to decrease anxiety and reduce levels of stress, giving a much needed boost to our mental health. All I ask is you keep reading and give it a go, requiring only a pen and paper and a willingness to try. You never know, you may surprise yourself!
Life is often so demanding, without realising it we are frequently not present in the moment, focusing on tomorrow, next month, or even next year. This ‘busy mind’, although useful for planning and organisation, can often increase stress and anxiety as we find ourselves stuck in a vicious cycle of behaviour. Consequently, we forget to slow down and take care of ourselves, running the risk of impacting our mental health, making our difficulties even worse.
Why is it, if we had pain or discomfort in an arm or a leg, we would aim to do all we can to make it better, yet we often do not approach our mental health in the same way? By listening to both our body and mind we can implement the self-care we need to support our mental health. This exercise invites you to slow down your busy mind and be present and creative in nature by following the steps below:
1. You don’t have to climb a mountain to be present with nature, simply do whatever is right for you. You can connect with nature by travelling to a park, sitting in your garden, or even looking out of your window. Once in your space, sit comfortably or lie down, and help instil calm by closing your eyes and taking a few slow deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
2. Be present and take in your surroundings by spending at least five minutes paying attention to your senses. Focus on what you can see, smell, hear, touch and taste, as you soak up your environment.
3. Grab your pen and paper and split your page into five sections, with one of your senses written in each (as demonstrated below). Make a note of all sensations, trying to write at least one sense in each box, using describing words where possible.
4. If you feel comfortable doing so, write about your experience, perhaps creating a piece of descriptive writing, a poem, or even journaling your sensations. However, for those seeking a little guidance, perhaps attempt an acrostic poem, which is described below along with an example.
Whatever you choose to write, don’t worry about structure or spelling, and don’t believe the myth that all poetry must rhyme! Use the exercise as a chance to connect with your environment creatively, not focussing too much on ‘getting it right’ but just giving it a go.
5. Once you have finished, try to read your poem aloud, really listening to your words. Then sit back and be present, enjoying your surroundings.
Finally, there are so many ways to be creative. If writing isn’t for you, perhaps try something else, such as photography, drawing or colouring. Everybody is different, so find what works for you, and whatever you choose, take care of your mental health by being present and creative in nature.
